appeal
n. C / Un. a serious request for help or for a change in a decision. In law, it is a formal request for a higher court to review a case because you think the first decision was wrong.
n. a formal request to a higher authority for a reversal of a decision or for a specific action. In a legal context, it refers to the process of seeking a judicial review of a lower court's ruling.
The lawyer filed an appeal after the judge's ruling.
The defendant decided to lodge an appeal because new evidence suggested the original trial was unfair.
The high court rejected the appeal on the grounds that the procedural errors cited by the defense did not materially affect the final verdict.
From Middle English apel, appel (“formal accusation brought in court; a challenge to trial by combat; an appeal to a higher court or authority; plea (for mercy, protection, etc.); pealing (of bells)”) [and other forms], from Old French apel (“a call”) (modern French appel (“a call; an appeal”)), from apeler (“to call; to call out”), from Latin appellāre (“to address as, call by name; to drive, move to; to land or put ashore”), alternative form adpellāre, from ad- (prefix meaning ‘to; towards’) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂éd (“at; to”)) + pellere (“to drive, impel, push; to hurl, propel; to banish, expel; to eject, thrust out”) + -āre, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European pelh₂- (“to approach”), from *pel- (“to beat; to drive; to push”). Doublet of appel.
From Middle English apelen, appelen (“to accuse; to make a formal charge before a court, etc., impeach; to challenge to trial by combat; to apply to a higher court or authority for review of a decision; to call upon for a decision, favour, help, etc.; to call by a name”) [and other forms], from Old French apeler (“to call; to call out”); see further at etymology 1.
Often takes the preposition 'against' (an appeal against a decision) or 'for' (an appeal for help).
He made an appeal about the sentenceHe made an appeal against the sentenceWhen challenging a legal decision, 'appeal' is typically followed by 'against', not 'about'.
- 01
appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober
To ask someone to reconsider a decision or view they took while their judgment was swayed by momentary passion, excitement, etc.
- 02
curb appeal
The visual attractiveness which a house, commercial establishment, or other real estate property has when initially seen by a prospective buyer or other person standing in front of the property "at the curb".
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street appeal
Curb appeal.